How to Get Rid of Pigeons on a Porch
If you live in an urban area, chances are you have pigeons. Pigeons are a nuisance, especially if they roost on a porch. They carry not only disease but fleas, ticks and mites. Their droppings damage everything from paint on a car to finish on a building. But it is possible to get rid of pesky pigeons that land on your porch humanely. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Plastic owl, rubber snake or scarecrow
- Fine mesh wire or nylon-coated stainless steel wire
- Anti-roosting plastic spikes
- Irri-tape®
- Bird repellent, liquid or gel
Instructions
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Look around your property, on the roof or in the eaves. Are pigeons nesting? Get rid of any nests you may find. Nesting material clogs up drains and vents.
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Make your porch unwelcoming. Seal off any refuge using fine mesh screens or fillers. Block eaves with fine mesh wire or nylon-coated stainless steel, which is discreet. Pigeons are social birds. This takes away their access to congregate or roost.
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Never feed them. Pigeons are scavengers. Remove any bird-feeders from the porch. Having adapted to urban living, they eat almost anything and will return if they know there is food. This includes bird seed and any morsels left by humans.
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Purchase a plastic owl, rubber snake or scarecrow to use as a decoy. If they move or make sound, all the better. Place the object in a prominent place on the porch. Most important, move the distraction frequently to confuse the pigeons. They will know that they are not welcome.
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Purchase plastic spikes. Easy to install, the plastic is flexible so they can be easily mounted. Affix the strips to any surface using a glue adhesive or zip ties. This prevents pigeons landing or roosting on the porch. It can be bought as a complete kit or by the yard.
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Use Irri-tape® bird repellent. This ribbon-like material is simple to use and ideal for the porch. It drives away birds in several ways: Its iridescent sheen flashes with the help of wind and light-changing shadows and reflectors. It also creates a metal-clinking noise, similar to a wind chime, that pigeons don't like.
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Use a tactile repellent if all else fails. Made as a liquid or gel, it creates an uncomfortable surface for the pigeons to settle on a porch.
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Tips & Warnings
Check with local authorities to see what control methods are legal. If these methods simply don't rid your porch of pigeons, it's time to call in a pest professional.
When using a liquid or gel solution, read the warning labels carefully. They may be toxic to people, pets and other animals.
